Beached whale dies in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Oct 28 (IANS/EFE) A whale that got beached two days ago in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state died early Wednesday despite the efforts of volunteers and firefighters to save it, officials said.

The 12-meter whale had been trapped on a sand bar off Buzios, a resort town located about 167 km from Rio de Janeiro, since Monday.

The marine mammal died despite the efforts of rescuers, who even brought in a crane provided by oil giant Petrobras to try to set it free.

The nearly 30-tonne Jubarte whale was just too big to move, and the crane was unable to budge it.

Officials will now focus on removing the carcass, which may have to be cut up, fire department spokesmen told Agencia Brasil.

Seven Jubarte whales have beached this year on the coast of Rio de Janeiro, while a total of 90 have beached across Brazil, the non-governmental Jubarte Whale Institute said.